Using energy wisely, lowering bill during holiday season
Between cold weather, the holidays and spending more time indoors, energy use and costs can rise for many Michiganders. The COVID-19 pandemic has also put a financial strain on most. However, residents can take the following steps, as provided by Cloverland Electric Cooperative, to save money on their electric bills.
Maintain your heating and cooling system. Like a car, your heating and cooling system requires regular maintenance to run efficiently. Contact a local contractor for an annual tune-up to maintain efficient performance.
Set your furnace fan to “auto.” Setting the fan switch to “on” causes it to run all the time, whether your home needs more heat to maintain the desired temperature or not. Selecting “auto” ensures the fan will operate only when necessary, which can provide significant savings.
Replace your HVAC filters regularly. Replacing your filter is an easy, inexpensive step to take to save money, extend the life of your system and improve your indoor air quality. Check the manufacturer guidelines for how frequently your system’s filter should be replaced.
Add a door sweep. Air leaks are a significant source of heat loss in the home during winter. A common place where air leaks occur is under the door leading from the house to the garage because they are often not as well sealed as doors leading directly to the outside. Install a door sweep to seal the gap between the bottom of your door and the threshold to prevent cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping from your home.
Close the garage door to trap heat. During the winter months, don't forget to keep the garage door tightly closed as often as possible. In doing so, you'll retain warmer air against the garage-side wall of the house, and it will act as a buffer against the colder outdoor air.
Protect your windows. Clear plastic sheeting on your windows can add more insulation and reduce icy drafts with minimal effort and minimal cost.
Update your porch light. The outdoor porch light is one of the highest used fixtures in a home. With the use of an LED light bulb and a motion sensor, you can save money and not worry if you left the light on.
Take advantage of cash incentives. Claim your energy optimization rebates for energy-efficient products, such as light bulbs, refrigerators and freezers, clothes washers/dryers, heating and cooling systems and more.
If you live in an apartment, many of these tips can also be applied, such as changing out the light bulbs and replacing air filters. You can adjust your water heater by turning it down when you are out or on vacation, and turning it back on to 120 degrees to heat up overnight. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends setting your water heater at no more than 120 degrees to prevent scalding. The lower setting will also conserve energy and save money.
If you have electronics such as a television, gaming console, routers or cable boxes, then a smart power strip could be useful for you. These turn electronics off after a set period of time.
Washing clothes in large loads, using a microwave instead of a stove, and letting your dishes air dry after being in the dishwasher are a few additional ways you can save a penny or two on your electric bill this year.
For a complete list of Cloverland Electric’s Energy Optimization rebates and energy-saving solutions, visit www.michigan-energy.org or call (877) 296-4319. Starting in 2022, the Energy Optimization program website will change to www.cloverland.com/eo.
There is also the option of weatherization. Jess Johnston, weatherization program director at the Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac Community Action Agency, said the goal of the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program is to ensure that homes are as energy-efficient as possible by insulation and air sealing.
Johnston explained that if you or someone you know are in a family of four making less than $53,000 a year or have a household member on supplemental security income, then you can apply for weatherization assistance.
“If you are looking to pay for (weatherization) on your own, ensure you get a contractor who is familiar with weatherization, do your research,” said Johnston in an email. “In the time being, keep energy bills low and the home more comfortable by ensuring that filters are clean and in good working order where appropriate, ensuring that you are not blocking heating vents, you are keeping your temperature set at no more than 70 and 65 or below at night, and that all windows and storms are closed. If you live in a trailer, please ensure that your skirting is properly placed and in good repair.”
To save money and energy, the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency also offers the following energy-saving tips:
Unplug anything that is not being used, such as cell phone chargers that are left plugged into the wall, a toaster or radio. If you are not using it, unplug it
Replacing the light bulbs around your home with LED bulbs. While these bulbs are more costly upfront, they can last as long as 10 years
The U.S. Department of Energy offers a few do-it-yourself savings projects that offer easy, step-by-step instructions to home energy efficiency improvements that will save you energy and money. Projects include sealing air leaks with caulk, insulating and air sealing floors over unconditioned garages, weatherstripping double-hung windows and building your own attic stairs cover box. To view these projects, visit www.energy.gov/energysaver/do-it-yourself-energy-savings-projects.
For more information as to how to save on energy bills, visit the Michigan Public Service’s website.
— Contact News Reporter Taylor Worsham at tworsham@sooeveningnews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Using energy wisely, lowering bill during holiday season
